The sound of gunfire in the distance was so constant you could forget it meant there was a war going on. The dim lights of emergency power gave everything a more sinister glow. Large congealing pools of blood on the floor didn't help the décor either. Voices that Kaidan could not make out, indistinct in the background made him feel like he was working inside a metal canister that was about to depressurize.

A dark corridor, cramped and low he is crawling in the dark. Every sound bouncing back at him making him hold his breath for fear that those things would hear them and attack while they were most vulnerable in the tight quarters. His armor feels to heavy in the hot still air making his sweat. Finally they emerge from the tube they had been using to get across unnoticed when he looks up he sees a red outline of a square and vertical slash through the bottom. Omega.

It was the middle of the night and Kaidan woke with him head feeling like it was tearing itself apart. The days efforts had been both rewarding and overwhelming at the same time. So much so that he had retreated to the loft to catch a few hours of sleep in blissful silence. Apparently someone somewhere had other plans.

Sitting up in bed he notices the display flashing in the darkened room insistent. Before bed he had shut off his official channels so he could get some sleep and would have dealt with all the reports from Hackett in the morning (or more likely ignore them until he absolutely had to). This had to be to his personal account, and he was sure he knew who it was. Crossing the darkened room in his briefs he logs in and rubs the bridge of his nose to try to make the room stay still damnit.

No sender info, no sender info but there was no doubt who had sent the line. The time stamp showed it had been sent less than an hour ago.

Hey awake?

Sitting at the desk and squinting at the screen he could visualize Shepard saying that to him. That half smirk on her lips as she tried to downplay the situation so he didn't worry. That always made him worry more but so was the nature of their relationship. Reaching to her stash of coffee in the dark with one hand he dashes off the reply with the other. As much as he needed sleep he knew it would be a few hours off now.

Am now. Not sure how long of a delay we are getting.

Kaidan went to the bathroom to get water and dunked his head under the faucet. To his surprise before the coffee was done brewing he heard a light ding from the terminal.

Not much. Had one of her techs Gerry rig something for me. I need you to do something for me that I never thought I would do.

Don't leave me hanging. He typed but a reply interrupted him. Yes there was a delay but considering how long he had to wait to talk to Hackett and the fleet someone had definitely reworked it for Shepard.

Need Allers. Got something she would love.

Within a few hours Diana was doing whatever it is she was doing. EDI was more than gleeful to help spread the signal and encrypt data so it could not be tracked to them. Apparently the reporter was putting together an exclusive that there was a schism within Cerberus since the attack on the Citadel. She had gotten vids from Liara from Eden Prime of them attacking civilians and some from a source in the systems where the Phoenix units were operating with the Alliance fighting back Reapers.

Kaidan had arranged a meeting with the instructors that afternoon. Most of them had been so busy in the past few days he had not seen all of them together in a room since he took command. Javik was his usual ball of sunshine but reported that the primatives were showing progress however slowly (high praise) Liara nodded and Kaidan could see the doctor was exhausted. She had already given over her instruction to Falare and Plava but was working with a few students in addition to her Shadow work. He was not the only one pushing themselves to the limit. She was still recovering from Thessia and he made a mental note to check up on her later.

Samara and Plava were looking over some pads and nodding in agreement. Apparently Liara had tracked down some sencondary weapons and the Justicar had suggested they start training with those in addition to the biotics. Plava had agreed and made some scheduling adjustments. She also recommended Vega and the two Marines Campbell and Westmoreland. It was good to see the two working so well together and agreed with their assessments.

He dismissed them all but Plava hung around. Leaning against the railing with her arms crossed he knew she was evaluating him. She had taken up extra duties with a gusto he had not expected, managing to keep track of details and rosters that Kaidan had not bothered with. Between her and Cortez they probably had every weapon and person tagged and tracked across the whole facility.

Samara had been right to recommend her but that did not stop Kaidan from feeling an odd apprehension about the Commando. Aside from his students he had had limited interaction with the Asari who had made their way to the monastery and the fact that she seemed so at ease with everyone in her cool way just rubbed Kaidan the wrong way.

"I know that look. You have something on your mind don't you?"

"Nothing. You did good work; you and Samara make a good team." Kaidan looks up briefly before going back to the reports she had just gone over. She shrugs unimpressed but a small smile plays on her lips.

"Not what I meant. You were up early this morning. Something happened at home didn't it?" He hated when Asari did that. The images from his dream before Shepard had gotten in touch with him came back. His migraine had not entirely gone away only receding a bit but he could feel the heat in his amp tugging painfully. He must have flinched because he felt Plava put her hand on his arm.

"I'm fine. "He tries to wave her off, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead. God he was tired. He feels cool hands rubbing the sides of his neck and he stiffens up.

"Calm down. I am not trying to seduce you on the bridge of your ship." She chuckles, a low musical tone. "Exhaustion and caffeine can wreak havoc on an amp. Trust someone who knows."

"That does feel better. " He admits somewhat guiltily. He steps away, bracing himself against the railing and she waves a hand over the displays so they dim and the datapads go to standby.

"But there is more to it than that. This place is buzzing ."

He looks over to her and she sighs rolling her eyes.

"If you think I am still reporting back to Aria you clearly haven't been paying attention. Major. Besides any communications would be picked up by your AI or Shar and neither would benefit me any."

He felt guilty because the Asari had been too busy to do much conspiring. Given the length of time it had taken Shepard to get in contact with him any intel she had wanted to send T'loak would be useless by the time the Pirate Queen had gotten it.

"Yeah, you're right. Last night I had this really weird dream about crawling in these dark tunnels and metallic rooms and then Shepard managed to get in touch with me. Whatever your former boss has planned, I think it will be happening soon."

She smiled and nods. "See, you said it was that so hard? My former boss. "Her expression changes to one of confusion. "Wait did you say tunnels? Like an airshaft?"

"I guess why? I have been getting some really weird dreams since well Thessia." He admitted. He didn't know why he was confiding in this woman but it didn't seem to faze her in the slightest.

"EDI pull up this map on the galaxy map please." Her head was tilted and she was punching in commands to her omni. An orange rendition of an elongated map jumps up and images are highlighted and enlarged. Vid images of rooms matching his dream come into view and she glances at him before proceeding.

"This was it wasn't it?" He nods and she highlights a route.

"What is that? Part of Omega I take it."

"That is the heart of Omega. The reactor and Aria's private tunnels to it."